Funded Studies
Objective/Rationale:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) is partnering with The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) to distribute pre-clinical models of Parkinson’s disease (PD). MJFF funding will allow JAX to strengthen its existing Parkinson’s Disease Pre-clinical Model Repository by importing new models that will be available to the research community.
Project Description:
The JAX PD repository distributes specialized models that enable researchers to inactivate genes in specific neuronal cells relevant to PD, and to label neurons with fluorescent proteins as markers so that neuronal viability can be easily monitored.
The JAX repository carefully monitors the health status and the genetic composition of the mice it distributes, so that experiments done in different labs and at different times can be reliably compared. All mice in the JAX repository are archived in two different sites as cryopreserved sperm or embryos, so that the original strain can be recovered in case of genetic drift or contamination, or natural disaster.
JAX provides an online search tool that enables scientists to quickly select a model appropriate for their work, as well as to find information that facilitates the use of pre-clinical models in PD research and therapy development — including molecular protocols necessary to work with genetically engineered models and links to published papers that describe the pre-clinical model.
Relevance to Diagnosis/Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease:
Preclinical research in pre-clinical models is essential for the development of improved therapies for PD. Researchers study pre-clinical models of PD to gain understanding of underlying cellular and pathological mechanisms that give rise to the disease. Mice are also used to investigate how genetic factors interact with environmental factors.
Anticipated Outcome:
We hope that this project will speed research progress toward improved treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s disease by making it more feasible, practical and seamless for PD researchers to collaborate and share critical research tools.